Rottweiler,Schnauzer Altercation Mars Canine Party

By Miriam Rosenberg

Jill Weber (back to camera), the Parks Administrator for Rockaway, watches as the owner of the schnauzer, left, and the Rottweiler, right, are restrained during an argument over an altercation between their dogs. An altercation between two dogs and their owners marred what was an otherwise successful costume contest for canines at the Rockaway Freeway Dog Run on October 28.

"A Rottweiler became annoyed when a schnauzer was smelling him and grabbed at him, causing a cut," a Parks Department representative explained to The Wave. "Jill Weber [the Rockaway Parks Administrator] asked the owner to leash his Rottweiler, which he did, but the two owners began arguing over the exchange of information and vet bills."

The Wave observed that the owner of the schnauzer became agitated with the owner of the rottweiler, other dog owners and Weber after the incident.

"Jill thought loud or threatening would better describe the behavior," said the Parks official.

It was after this that Weber called the police.

"He [the Rottweiler] almost ripped his [my dog's] head off," The Wave overheard the owner of the schnauzer yell.

After police officers arrived on the scene the owner of the schnauzer, right, and the Rottweiler, left, exchange information. After the incident, many dog owners talked about the need to create separate runs to keep small and large dogs apart.

"We are considering separate areas for large and small dogs once a permanent location is determined," said the Parks representative.

"ARF ARF [Allied Rockaway Foundation for Animal Recreation and Fitness] is currently petitioning users to see if people like Freeway as the location."

Weber, without much success, tries to calm down the owner of the schnauzer.